France-based Kermel — a manufacturer of meta-aramid fibers used in protective clothing — has
announced that the French Army has chosen Kermel® V50 and VMC40 fabrics to outfit its troops for
the FELIN® (Infantry with Integrated Equipment and Connectivity) Project.

Kermel V50 combines softness with thermal protection and the absorption capacity of flame
resistant (FR) viscose, and is suitable for battledress uniforms worn in the summer and
mid-seasons. Kermel VMC40 is a soft, durable camouflage fabric with humidity transfer and FR,
making it suitable for cold weather and damp conditions. Kermel fabrics also are colorfast and can
be used for any type of camouflage dress.

The French Army will provide Kermel-based gear to the first battalions beginning in late
2008.



June 17, 2008

The International Textile Research Centre of the Germany-based Hohensteiner Institutes has
developed a two-part test to determine the qualitative and quantitative efficacy of antimicrobial
textiles in reducing perspiration odor. The research and development was led by Dr. Dirk Höfer of
the research center’s Institute for Hygiene and Biotechnology.

The first stage of the test involves use of a microbiological cell model in which the
antimicrobial textile impedes the metabolism of microbes that generate a particular odor substance,
and the use of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis to measure the amount of odor
substance generated as well as the efficacy of the textile. The second stage comprises a controlled
wear test in which test participants apply their own perspiration to the textiles, and the
qualitative and quantitative assessment of odor reduction in the antimicrobial textile compared
with conventional textiles.

The institute will provide a Hohenstein quality label for use by textile manufacturers that
have verified the efficacy of their products through independent testing.

June 17, 2008

Effective July 1, or as contracts allow, Celanese Corp., Dallas, will implement a 50-euros-per-ton
price increase on all vinyl- and acrylic-based emulsions sold in Europe. The company cited
increasing costs of raw materials, feedstocks, energy and transportation in announcing the price
increase.

June 17, 2008

Cambridge, Mass.-based Tagsys USA Inc. — a radio frequency identification (RFID) equipment maker —
has announced that Spain-based Bóboli — a children’s apparel manufacturer — is piloting an RFID
deployment program to track and manage its products. Bóboli manufactures more than 2 million items
per year that are offered in 30 owned stores and franchises in Europe, the Arab States, the Far
East and the Americas.

The initial test will involve a Tagsys ultra-high-frequency (UHF) tunnel, which quickly will
scan and read the RFID-tagged contents of Bóboli’s inbound and outbound warehouse shipments. The
scanned items will then be checked against the packing slip to confirm the content’s accuracy. This
process is expected to cut five days off the amount of time items remain in Bóboli’s distribution
center, and in the long run will allow the company to quickly and accurately refill store inventory
and verify product availability.

According to Tagsys, Bóboli is the first Spanish-brand apparel producer to install an RFID
item-level tracking system. “This is a strategic bet for our brand to keep up with our rapid
expansion, while reducing our operational costs and staying a step ahead of our competitors,” said
Bóboli Operations Director Domingo Garrido.

The pilot program will be tested on 10 percent of Bóboli’s production inventory, and plans
are being made to expand full RFID deployment for all items and eventually a final store-level
phase, in which products will be tracked from manufacturing through point-of-sale.

Cetemmsa, a Spain-based technology center, has specified the project’s guidelines and will
manage the implementation, and also will supply technical support and training to Bóboli’s staff.
Pasadena, Calif.-based Avery Dennison will provide the hangtags that will integrate with Tagsys’
UHF tags.  

June 17, 2008

Two Tirupur, India-based apparel manufacturers — Poppy’s Knit Wear Pvt. Ltd. and S.P. Apparels Ltd.
— have replaced their existing computer-aided-design (CAD) systems with TUKAcad digital
pattern-making, grading and marker-making systems supplied by Tukatech, a Los Angeles-based
provider of product development solutions for the apparel industry. The companies also have
installed SMARTmark and Net-Q, Tukatech’s advanced marker-making software.

Poppy’s manufactures knitted and woven garments for clients including Sara Lee Underwear,
Polo Ralph Lauren, Hanes, Domino’s, Red Devil Clothing, and other apparel makers. According to
Tukatech, Poppy’s has seen a 27-percent increase in cutting room production efficiency and has
saved more than 10 percent on fabric consumption since installing the Tukatech systems.

S.P. Apparels manufactures apparel for clients including George, Tesco and Disney. According
to S.P. Apparels, using Tukatech’s SMARTmark software has helped the company reduce consumption,
connect its factories, and save fabric.

June 17, 2008

Gerber Technology — a Tolland, Conn.-based supplier of integrated software and hardware automation
systems to the sewn products and flexible materials industry, and a business unit of South Windsor,
Conn.-based Gerber Scientific Inc. — has unveiled its new GERBERcutter® Z7, the first product in
the company’s new Z Series line of multi-ply cutting systems.

Targeted primarily to the automotive, aerospace and technical textiles markets, the
GERBERcutter Z7 is designed to help manufacturers to improve quality, turnaround time and the
reporting of performance metrics. Taking into account the mounting environmental concerns and
energy consumption regulations, Gerber also designed the Z7 to have increased efficiency and
reduced power usage.

According to the company, the Z7 enables precision cutting of the most demanding materials.
It utilizes technologies such as Gerber’s exclusive CutWorks® cut path optimization software to
calculate the most efficient cut path and part nest; and Knife IntelligencePLUS™ to make automatic
adjustments to prevent knife deflection. The GERBERcutter also has easy-to-use features such as an
intuitive touch-screen interface and software that can hold preprogrammed cut files and machine
settings and makes job information easily accessible. 

June 17, 2008

Effective July 15, 2008, Florham Park, N.J.-based BASF Corp. will implement an 8-cents-per-pound
price increase in North America for its polyurethane systems.

June 17, 2008

Fort Mill, S.C.- based Wellman Inc. will implement a 6-cents-per-pound price increase on all
Fortrel® polyester staple fiber products, effective with July 14 shipments. The company cited
rising crude oil prices in announcing the price increase.

June 17, 2008

State College, Pa.-based NanoHorizons Inc. — a developer of nanoscale performance additives for the
textile and medical industries — and Thailand-based Indo Poly (Thailand) Ltd. — a manufacturer of
polyester resins, yarns and fibers for domestic and international markets, and part of Indorama
Ventures Ltd. — have announced a partnership to produce unique, permanently antimicrobial,
anti-odor polyester yarns. The yarns will be marketed under Indo Poly’s Ambs® Pro and Ambs® Active
brands.

NanoHorizons will supply Indo Poly with silver-based antimicrobial additives that will be
bonded at the molecular level with the Ambs fiber, which will be processed into textured and fully
drawn polyester yarns.

Indo Poly’s Ambs Pro Yarns will be endorsed with NanoHorizons’ certified SmartSilver™
performance brand for antimicrobial products. The Ambs Pro/SmartSilver yarns will be marketed to
athleticwear, outdoor apparel, and uniform manufacturers; and also will be sold to textile product
manufacturers for health care applications. 

June 11, 2008